Effect of an alternating magnetic field on the interfacial microstructure between molten aluminium and solid iron

Abstract

The effect of an alternating magnetic field on the interfacial microstructure between molten aluminium and solid iron was studied and the intermetallic phases formed in the intermetallic layers were also investigated by means of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the interface between molten aluminium and intermetallic layer became irregular in the presence of the AC magnetic field, not so smooth as that in the absence of the AC magnetic field. The AC magnetic field made the average thickness of the intermetallic layer smaller and the aluminium content in the intermetallic layer higher. Moreover, the intermetallic phases formed in the intermetallic layers were identified as Al3Fe and Al5Fe2 in the absence of the AC magnetic field, while there were Al13Fe4 and Al5Fe2 in the presence of the AC magnetic field.